Like this site? Help us to make it better.
At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.
Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.
The Panaracer GravelKing EXT+ TLC copes with British conditions really well thanks to a deeper tread than the rest of the range and increased puncture protection. They are well priced too, but wider sizes would be welcome.
I've used pretty much the whole range of these tyres, from the GravelKing Slicks to the SK Small Knobs (stop giggling at the back) and the Semi Slick in between.
They are all great tyres, but due to their lack of tread depth are kind of limited to dry conditions only. By contrast, the EXT+ has a tread around 2.5mm which can cope when the going is soft. A lot of by-ways and the like are a mixture of gravel and mud so can get slippery in the wet, and these have enough bite to still get traction in all but the sloppiest of conditions.
On the flat and the climbs they minimise wheelspin by shedding mud quickly, and the side knobs dig in on the corners giving plenty of confidence to let the bike go and have some fun.
I mainly used them on my favourite loop, which takes in gravel (obviously), grass, mud and clay, and there I found the EXTs very competent. Wet chalk was probably their toughest challenge and while they still slipped around a bit, they were better than a lot of gravel tyres. The quick tread clearance is the main factor.
At some point you'll probably find yourself riding on the road to string together your gravel sections, and these roll well enough. The middle tread zings along well on the hard surface and, while you lose some purchase in the bends compared to a standard slick, the ZSG (Zero Slip Grip) compound is soft enough you don't have to worry about them sliding out.
At 38mm they're wide enough not to sink in soft conditions, but I'd like to see some wider options: 38mm, 35mm and 33mm are the only choices. For my gravel routes I find 40mm about right, and 45mm even better, especially in the winter.
For puncture protection these use AX, which Panaracer says is an extremely narrow cord woven at super-high densities into the casing, and improves resistance to cuts and abrasions. Also, there is ProTite Shield + Plus (yes really, they're obviously double-plus good), which is a reinforcing material wrapped around the whole tyre. That also protects the sidewalls as well as the main tread.
In practice I found these tyres very robust and durable. Various sections of my rides had seen hedge trimming activity, and I never had any issues with punctures or cuts.
> 29 of the best gravel bike tyres for 2021 — get the right go-anywhere rubber
The TLC part means they are tubeless compatible, and I found them simple to fit to a range of wheels using both hooked and hookless rims. The sidewalls wept a tiny bit of sealant after inflation, but taking them straight out for a ride saw them seal up quickly – after that I only had to top them up with air once a week.
At £54.99 these are within a fiver of the Maxxis Ravagers, which Jo described as 'sturdy rufty-tufty proper off-road gravel tyres.'
Schwalbe's G-One Ultrabite is cheaper at £43.99, but Jamie wasn't massively impressed, saying they are heavy (571g versus 474g for the Panaracers) and slow rolling.
While personally I'd like some wider options, I still really rate the EXT+ TLC gravel tyres for year round use in the UK.
Limited width options, but they work really well on wet, slippery gravel trails
If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website
Make and model: Panaracer GravelKing EXT+ TLC folding tyre
Tell us what the product is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
Panaracer says, "The GravelKing EXT+ is built for the most extreme conditions you can throw at it, with the added puncture protection of our ProTite Shield + Plus technology. The tread design is tailored to work best in muddy and sloppy conditions, and the EXT+ will keep gripping through the absolute worst of it.
"The entire tyre is protected by our ProTite Shield + Plus technology, our most complete puncture protection, whilst the ZSG (Zero Slip Grip) compound offers low rolling resistance for an excellent ride and enhanced wear resistance. Part of our hugely popular GravelKing range, the GravelKing EXT+ TLC is the tyre designed specifically for the loosest gravel and mud you can find."
It is definitely one of the better gravel tyres out there for the British weather and trails.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Tubeless Compatible (up to 60psi)
Sizes: 700 x 33c / 700 x 35c / 700 x 38c
Colours: Black/Black, Black/Brown
ZSG (Zero Slip Grip) Natural Compound
This compound has the same low rolling resistance as the Ultima compound. Its enhanced wear resistance makes it perfect for a long-lasting training tyre with an excellent ride.
AX-a Advanced Extra Alpha Cord
AX technology uses extremely narrow cord which is weaved at a super high density into the casing for lightness and flexibility. This increased density improves resistance to cuts and abrasions.
Ultra-strong reinforcing material is wrapped around the whole tyre, with nylon taffeta lining the treads to provide added protection against side cuts as well as punctures from dented rims or piercings.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
More capable in the UK's wet conditions than a lot of other gravel tyres on the market.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
The price is reasonable against other chunky, value for money tyres like the Maxxis Ravager at £49.99 and the Schwalbe G-One Ultrabite at £43.99.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Possibly, if they were wider
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your overall score
These bring the ride quality of the other GravelKing tyres with the added bonus of more grip in the wet. Well priced, a decent weight and offering grip in all gravel conditions, these are very good – although widths are limited compared to some brands.
Age: 42 Height: 180cm Weight: 76kg
I usually ride: This month's test bike My best bike is: B'Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components
I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed,
We’ve noticed you’re using an ad blocker. If you like road.cc, but you don’t like ads, please consider subscribing to the site to support us directly. As a subscriber you can read road.cc ad-free, from as little as £1.99.
If you don’t want to subscribe, please turn your ad blocker off. The revenue from adverts helps to fund our site.
If you’ve enjoyed this article, then please consider subscribing to road.cc from as little as £1.99. Our mission is to bring you all the news that’s relevant to you as a cyclist, independent reviews, impartial buying advice and more. Your subscription will help us to do more.
With 20 years of road cycling and over 150,000 miles in his legs it's safe to say Stu is happiest when on the bike whatever the weather. Since writing his first review for road.cc back in 2009 he has also had a career in engineering including 3D-CAD design and product development, so has a real passion for all of the latest technology coming through in the industry but is also a sucker for a classic steel frame, skinny tyres, rim brakes and a damn good paintjob. His fascination with gravel bikes is getting out of control too!
Whomever thinks the lighting column is the problem there isn't paying attention....
Yep, why they haven't allowed a bluetooth connection is completely beyond me.
I'm replying to this not really for Rakia's benefit - I realise that they are a troll, idiot, or both - but rather for the benefit of others who...
Blind turn labelled 'crash corner' as Moseley neighbours fear next smash will be fatal...
I see, thanks. When I'm loosening something I set the wrench to max torque (24NM with this model) and stop if it indicates I've reached that, so...
If you rode a bike in the 60s and 70s, you'd soon recognise the regular clunk of a worn cotter pin. That was a bike shop problem to sort, which...
Driver seems to be lifting bonnet in an attempt to understand why the van has stalled....
Obstruction does not just apply to obstructing road vehicles, simple standing on the pavement can be obstruction. However, can you obstruct someone...
Exactly; a glance at Norfolk Square on Google satellite view shows at least fifty parking spaces around the square. Leaving aside the heinous...
Yes Nigel, we remember you being a fan of Rouvy. Don't bother with any of this "I'm a bona fide good faith commenter" nonsense, you've totally...
High-quality tyre for pretty much all weather conditions, keeping the puncture fairy away while rolling quickly
Lively and compliant budget tyre, but puncture resistance is not the best
Fast-rolling performance tyre with the protection levels to match
Sprightly, compliant and seemingly dependable tyres with a modest price tag
Editorial, general: info [at] road.cc Tech, reviews: tech [at] road.cc Fantasy Cycling: game [at] road.cc Advertising, commercial: sales [at] road.cc View our media pack
Report an advert on road.cc
All material © Farrelly Atkinson (F-At) Limited, Unit 7b Green Park Station BA11JB. Tel 01225 588855. © 2008–present unless otherwise stated. Terms and conditions of use.